From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters....

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero's Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more...

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)

Introduce Male and Female Supernatural Aids (Mother and Father mentors) and their challenge [Li and Shu Lien; that they love each other].

Female Mentor departs on a journey to deliver the Sword.

Female Mentor enters a New World [Beijing].

Female Mentor delivers the Sword and meets her own Mentor [even Mentors have Mentors]. Her Mentor provides guidance: to admit her love for Li.

Meeting the Heroine [Jen]. Heroine's challenge [to be free; to be a warrior is to be free].

Develop the value of the Sword [Governor Yu].

Introduce the Interdictor [Jade Fox].

Heroine seizes the Sword. Conflict.

Battle with the Mother. Heroine saved by the Antagonism.

Mother and Heroine interaction. Restating the heroine's challenge. Mother gives guidance to the true path.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation [remembering the desert].

Setup the nature of the antagonism [preparing for the battle with Jade Fox].

Significant antagonism [danger of Jade Fox illustrated].

Father and Antagonism battle.

Mother attempts to persuade the Heroine to follow the true path [return the sword].

Father offers to guide through the transformation. Retrieves the Sword.

Hero resists.

Physical Separation. Heroine and antagonism separation [Jade Fox].

Mother attempts to dissuade Father from the Journey [Li and Shu Lien interaction].

Transformation [Lo comes for Jen; in the desert].

Seizing the Sword [Lo sacrifices his life; persuades Jen not to marry].

Atonement with the Father [Li expresses his love for Shu Lien]. Jen becomes a warrior.

Seizing the Sword [Jen steals the Sword].

Rebirth Through Death [beating the warriors]

Atonement with the Father [Battle with Mother and Father].

Apotheosis [she is nothing without the Sword].

Ultimate Boon [Being a warrior does not make her free]

Refusal of the Return [refusal to give the Sword back].

Magic Flight [Jade Fox kidnaps Jen].

Rescue from Without [Li comes for her].

Crossing the Return Threshold [Jade Fox and Li battle; Jade defeated].

Master of the two Worlds [Li crosses into the Other World; Jen uses her knowledge to attempt to save Li].

Freedom to Live [Jen jumps the mountain].

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